Nearly half of Canadians say elevated costs and inflation will be the decisive factor in their choice
The mounting cost-of-living would be the strongest deciding factor in Canadians’ votes if elections were held right now, according to a poll by Nanos Research.
The survey, conducted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, found that nearly half (45%) of Canadians consider elevated costs and inflation as the pivotal element in their choice of party or candidate in a hypothetical ongoing federal election.
By demographic, 58.6% of respondents in the 18-34 age range said that the cost-of-living was the most important issue that will influence their votes, followed by 47.1% in the 35-54 cohort and 33.3% among Canadians aged 55 and older.
RBC Economics study shows Canadian spending slowing due to debt pressures. While spending is steady, early signs of weakness coincide with a slight unemployment rate increase.https://t.co/r5amlMW8vO#mortgagenws #mortgageindustry #householddebt #economy
— Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine (@CMPmagazine) August 11, 2023
Climate change came in at a distant second as an overriding concern, with only 14% of respondents considering it a decisive factor in an election.
Other major issues were healthcare (12%), tax and debt issues (9%), jobs and the economy (8%), and immigration (5%), the poll found.
The study further that more than half (53%) of Canadians considered their personal finances worse off now when compared to their situation in 2015.
Only 24% indicated a belief that they were better off compared to nine years ago, while 21% said that they have felt no change in their situation in the intervening period.
